Anything - Carl Grimes

vii. Aftermath

.

Carmen sat on the couch, knees to her chest, trying to process everything that happened. She wasn't used to seeing people getting killed. The group, maybe, but she didn't. But, I guess in the end they ain't people, Carmen thought. Other family members soon walked in, going to their rooms or to get some water.

She zoned out, her kind racing so that she didn't even notice Carl sitting next to her. He saw how shaken up she was and figured she had never seen them getting killed. "You alright?" She snapped her head towards him he caught her off guard.

"Yeah." She mumbled. "You?"

"yeah, I guess." He shrugged.

"You two were close?" Carmen asked and Carl gave her a confused look. "Sophia and you?"

"Yeah." He nodded.

"I'm sorry for your loss." She patted his shoulder. She wasn't very good at comforting people o she wasn't sure what to do.

"It's fine. I feel more bad about Carol, her mom." He sighed. carmen felt her heartbreak. Not only did Carol lose her daughter, but the last alive family member.

"Where is she?" Carmen asked. "Carol."

"In the RV," Carl explained. Carmen sighed before asking.

"Can I see her?" Carl nodded and led her to the RV. On their way there, she was thinking about what to say. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to just say sorry or hug her. Maybe stay there and talk to her about it. She took a deep breath before walking into the RV. Carol turned her head to the door when she heard footsteps. 

"How are you doing, Ma'am," Carmen asked and Carol just nodded. Carmen looked at her hands, trying to figure out what to say. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," Carol said with a small voice crack. "She's at a better place now."

"Yes, she is."

...

That day, when they were standing in front of those graves, Carmen didn't feel anything but also felt everything at the same time. She didn't know Sophia, she wasn't close to Shawn or Beth's Mother, but she felt herself fall apart even though he didn't know them.

It's so messed up. We die and even then we ain't got any piece 'cause we come back as dead people and try to eat others. How did this even happen? One day we were livin' normal lives and now we have to be scared and fight for 'em. Just a bunch of bullshit.

...

After the funeral, Dottie told Carmen to take Matt to the house. Carmen obeyed and left her mom, who started walking after Daryl. "Daryl." She called out and he turned around even though it was hard to read him, she noticed he was confused.

"Need somethin'?" His eyes looked at every part of her body, before staring back at her eyes. He couldn't help but think how beautiful Dottie was. Her face was spotless, and her lips were always curled up in a smile, especially when she was with her son. Her eyes were big and brown, the right shape for the brows.

"I just wanted to say..." She trailed away. Speak up, I haven't got all day, he wanted to say but didn't. He noticed how every time the shorter woman was upset, she'd cross her arms over her chest, tilting her head down. "What yer did for that girl, it was really good." She smiled, rubbing her arm with her hand as her squinted eyes stared at Daryl's.

"Doesn't matter now."

"You didn't give up on 'er is what matters." She smiled at him. He hated how sweet and caring she was, how she talked to him, how she made him feel better when he barely knew her. "You know, hearin' Shane givin' up on 'er a long time ago and you went out there, riskin' your life...That- that was good."

He stared at her, not wanting to say anything. He just nodded, sighing slightly. "If you need anything, we're here." Dottie sighed before walking away. Daryl stared at her, wanting to blow off some anger he felt. He turned around, kicking the bush in front of him.

...

Carmen helped Matt down the stairs, noticing almost everyone was already at the table. They were supposed to have dinner together again while they waited for Rick and Glenn to come back with Hershel. Hershel went to the town, probably to the bar to mourn his way. Which Carmen found weird because she had never seen him drink before. Alcohol wasn't allowed in the house. "Hey, Carms, I saved you a seat next to me." Carl smiled at her when he noticed her come in with Matt.

"Thanks." She smiled back but it looked more like a thin line than a smile. She sat next to Carl and still felt his eyes on her. "Hey, Lori. Dinner's ready." Carol called for Lori but Lori wasn't in the house.

"She's not in there," Carmen said, swaying her legs. Everyone turned to look at her with concerned faces.

"Where is she?" Dale asked. Carmen never had a real conversation with him but he reminded her of her grand-father. He also looked wise. Carmen stayed quiet, not sure what to say. She didn't see Lori leave the house but she also didn't see her in the house.

"Carl, what's the last time you saw your Mom?" Shane leaned her elbows on the table.

"This afternoon," Carl answered and the room fell into silence.

"She was worried about Rick. She asked me to look in on Carl." Andrea explained.

"She went after him?" Dale asked. Carl and Carmen exchanged looks of worry.

"She didn't say that." Andrea shook her head. Shane stood up from the table, along with Carl and Carmen was ready to follow Carl if he went somewhere too. Not because I care about him or whatever but because he's probably scared, Carmen denied any feeling of care towards the older boy.

"Nobody panic. She has to be around here somewhere." Shane left the room and Carl motioned to Carmen to follow him. She did as Carl said and left the house behind Carl.

...

"She's not at the barn. I checked the yards." T-Dog explained as he walked towards the group. They were outside, looking for Lori.

"Then where is she?" Carl looked at Shane and T-Dog. He was scared so Carmen put her hand on his arm, rubbing it with her thumb in a comforting manner.

"She asked Daryl to go into the town." Carol ran to the group. "Must've gone herself." Carl whimpered, putting his hand on his mouth when he heard Carol's words. Carmen just stayed close to him, in case he needed comfort. She wasn't sure what to do because she wasn't the best at comforting people but she could try.

Shane got into the car and drove off, probably to find Lori. They all stood there for a few moments, watching the car with Shane in it leave. Carmen looked at Carl, who sat on the stairs, and sighed. She ran to him and plopped down next to him but he didn't even bat an eye on her. "She'll be alright, you know?"

"How do you know?" Carl mumbled.

"'Cause she's smart and brave and strong. My Dad always used to tell me Mothers are the strongest kind of human beings in the world." Carmen whispered, making Carl glance at her. She never talked about her Dad and it only occurred to him now that she must have lost him.

"Wanna read comics?" Carl gave her a sly smile, knowing she'd do anything she asked for in a situation like this.

"Sure, whatever." She rolled her eyes and they ran into the house, up to Carmen's room.

...

Maggie and Carmen sat on either side of Beth, who was still in some state of shock. Lori came back with Shane and they both looked pissed off to Carmen. Carmen was very worried for Lori because she got in a car crash and hit her head pretty hard. "What's wrong with 'er?"

Carmen asked, making Maggie look up from Beth's hand. "It's just a lot to take in," Maggie whispered, running her hand over Beth's head.

"I hope they'll be back soon." Carmen referred to Hershel, Rick, and Glenn, who still haven't come back.

"They will. Daddy just needs some time."

.

word count: 1350